So, I think it was very possible that I almost had a minor little conniption today, while trying to make a decent filling dinner on $4 bucks, and I found myself digging through moldy onions. Yes, these were onions at a low-cost supermarket and they were moldy and all messed up. I wanted to make a simple bean dish, and having some freshly cut onions would make the dinner a little more savory, seeing as how I did not have any meat to go with it.
All of this has made me realize that with my budget this month, the money from not only my bf, but friends and family, there is absolutely no reason for me to have had to charge my gas on my cc, or be scrounging for onions at the local cheap foods mart. I am upset at myself, and my trusty budget journal will have to be used more thoroughly.
It seems like I do my budget and then there are a few days where I get off of the plan, and then it feels like I am only seeing a few days ahead. If I had been better thinking (and maybe I was better thinking, but just didn't really think honestly about how much food and gas cost?) I would have used the money I received from family and friends, and I would have bought more food at one time. bought necessities in advance, etc.
It may take me a few hours, but I am going to stand in line if needbe, and make sure I get all of the tp, paper towels, beans, etc., I will need for a month. I dislike being in this situation because I don't have to be. I feel like I could have planned better, cut back on some coffee purchases, etc. I also ate some of those 99 cent burger deals, and I need to cut back on them....especially considering that I can get a large can of beans for 2 bucks, and coupled with an onion, some tomato, and seasonings and rice, that can be a very filling dinner.
The bill I talked about yesterday called me after I sent them an email and corrected their error. I am pretty happy about that and I feel better about giving them my card information again.
I am looking forward to some R&R this weekend, as well as going over my budget, paying bills, and even trying the envelope thing that people suggested---where I can put food money in one envelope, money for toiletries in another, etc. Maybe that will help me to stick to my budget on certain things.
Wanting Onions and other weirdness
October 30th, 2009 at 05:06 am
October 30th, 2009 at 11:58 am 1256903886
October 30th, 2009 at 04:20 pm 1256919652
October 30th, 2009 at 04:22 pm 1256919747
We are in a unique situation where the "high end" local grocery store started marketing itself as a "low price leader," a few years back. They kind of have the best of both worlds as all of their staples tend ot be pretty cheap, but they still cater to the high end with higher end products. (Genius, if you ask me). Anyway, with time, it is pretty much the only place we shop. We regularly pay $1.99 for 18 eggs, or pennies for organic melons. The milk is the cheapest I have seen. (I don't shop much so can't quote more than that). Anyway, a local blogger asked where the best place to shop in the recession was. 90% of the people said, "Safeway!" Seriously? We had all but stopped shopping there because their prices went through the roof the last couple of years. YEt, every time I mention where we shop, people say, "We can't afford that." ??? & yet no one believes how little we spend on groceries. (Though they are genius, I think - their marketing has failed a bit, from that end).
Anyway, I only share because apperances can be pretty deceiving, for one. (IT amazes me how people's shopping habits are dictated by perceptions of stores they have never even set foot in). & going to a nicer store and sticking to the sales, you may find some unexpected bargains. I would try to open my horizons a bit, assuming you have other stores at your disposal.
& obviously, we don't only shop at one store. Target is best for generic cereal and our brand of laundry detergent. My spouse picks up a few things at Wal MArt. Every store has their strengths and weaknesses.